Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Missouri

Identification: One tail on the hindwing. Underside of hindwing
pale brown, with postmedian band of dark brown oval spots; blue
tail-spot not topped with orange.

Life history: Males perch on trees to watch for females. Eggs are
laid in bark crevices of young hosts. Young caterpillars eat buds
during the day. Older caterpillars eat leaves at night and hide
during the day in ant nests at the base of the host tree. In
return for protection, the ants feed on honeydew produced by the
caterpillars.

Flight: One flight from June-July in the north, May-July in the
south.